Thriller Notes - Gothika - (Completed by Risha Jethwa)

Thriller Notes: Gothika

Gothika is a film directed about Mathieu Kassovitz. The film is about a criminal psychologist awakens to find herself a patient in the institution where she works, with no memory of the murder she's accused of committing. As she tries to regain her memory - and her freedom a vengeful spirit manipulates her.
The main character in the film is Miranda Grey, as she is portrayed as being fragile, frustrated, independent and important. In the film Miranda is introduced as she wakes up in hospital and being treated by co-worker Dr. Peter Graham. Throughout the film the characters are introduced all in different ways, this is because it is a unique narrative for the film. Many characters in the film establish to be different, this is because the audience will be aware of what is happening.

Throughout the film enigma has been created to make the audience jump as they give information and hidden clues. In the narrative the enigma shown was when Miranda turned up in the hospital and had no idea what lead up her being there. This had shows a dramatic effects as it constantly refers back to certain things. Most importantly suspense was built through the environment and surroundings, for instance when night falls and the weather turns stormy the thunder and lighting add to a strong atmosphere as it makes the audience jump. In the film information is revealed to the audience through the characters experience because this makes the narrative more understanding and appealing towards the film.

The cinematography shown in the films are a uses of close up and extreme close up shots. This is because by using a close up and extreme close up shot, it signifies to the audience the characters emotions and expression and shows how they behave towards others in the film and example shown for this is when Miranda tries to escape. The denotation shows women are fragile, this is shown through the close up shots and her appearance within the scene. The sound used in this particular sequence was incidental music, this is because it helps create a mood or a feeling within the scene.

The main theme of ‘Gothika’ was criminal psychologist, the film allows the audience to experience what danger there is in the film. The protagonist and antagonist both shows different aspects as they send out a different message to the audience.